sheehy



(No Model.) Z Sheet's-Sheet 1.

R. J. SHEEHY.

ELEOTRIU LIGHT REGULATOR. No. 281,800 Patented July 24, 1883.

IN VEN TOR WQ jlwberfiSizeeigQ By his Afforney;

(No Model.)

' I 2 SheetsSheet 2. R. J. SHEEI-IY ELECTRIC LIGHT REGULATOR.

No. 281,800. Patented July 24, 1883. F/Lq.5,

WITNESSES AINVENTOR 110% 217.6 71 W @.M [we M By his Afrorneys u.PETERS. mwnm n w. v'mhimm n.c.

UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT J. snnnnv, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC-LIGHT REGULATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 281,800, dated July 24,1883.

Application filed June 14, 1882. i (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT J. SHEEHY, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Electric-LightRegulators, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of electric lights in which theso-called electric arc is maintained between two carbon electrodes. Itparticularly relates to a class of devices or appliances commonlydenominated regulators, the function of which is to automaticallymaintain said electrodes in that relation to each other which isessential to the production of a uniform and maximum degree ofillumination.

To this end my invention consists in a method of and apparatus formaintaining the prop er relative positions of said electrodes, whichmethod may be described as follows:

First. The carbon electrodes are subjected to the action of a constantforce, preferably that of gravity, operating to bring them to gether. Tofacilitate such action I prefer to Y make use of a mechanical device, byvirtue of which the said force of gravity is not only excrted to depressthe positive but also simultaneously to elevate the negative electrode.

Second. I employ a novel form of clutch (one of the essential featuresof this invention) actuated by an electro-magnet, the function of whichclutch is to grasp (through intermediate mechanism) said electrodes atthe proper time" and subject them to the mechanical force exerted bysaid electro-magnet, which by its superior strength overcomes the normalaction of gravity upon said electrodes and maintains them in therelative positions best suited to the development of a maximum intensityof light.

Third. Said electro-magnet is vitalized by the light-producing current,so that an increase in the strength of said current produces aseparation of the electrodes, while its decrease causes them toapproximate.

Fourth. To enhance the efficiency of said electro-magnet, I employ anautomatic bridge or cut-out for introducing and withdrawing from saidlight-producing current one or more of the convolutions or helices ofsaid electro- -or diminish its magnetic effects.

magnet, accordingly as it is desired to-increase The automatic bridge ispreferably actuated or controlled by a branch of the main currenttraversing a shunt-circuit which spans both the electric arc and thecontrolling or regulating electro-magnet. Such a current is especiallywell adapted for this purpose, inasmuch as its strength variescorrelatively with the resistance of the are between the carbonelectrodes.

My invention further comprises certain details of mechanism, theparticular subject-.

matter claimed being hereinafter specifically designated.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a theoretical diagram designedto exhibit clearly to the eye the general organization of electriccircuits employed in connection with my regulator and the mode of itsoperation. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of my system of jointed levers orlazy-tongs for carrying the positive carbon. Fig. 3 is a front elevationof a convenient form of my improved regulator in actual employment byme, exhibiting the details of construction. Fig. 4 is a plan view of theclutch or clamping device.

Corresponding parts appearing in different figures have similar lettersof reference at tached.

Referring to Fig. 1, the negative or lower carbon, 0 is suspendedloosely from the axle of the wheel W, but insulated therefrom by thehard-rubber bushing B. Apinion, 1, carried rigidly by the same axle,gears with the rack R, connected to the frame-work of the lamp, andprojecting downward therefrom.

Around the wheel W is coiled a flexible metal band, D, passing from thewheel W over the pulleys Y and Y, and sustaining the positive or uppercarbon, 0. The latter is weighted at O and under the influence ofgravity tends to descend, thereby causing the wheel to ascend carryingwith it the lower carbon. The normal tendency, therefore, of theelectrodes is to approximate. This tendency is, however,

subject to the control of the clutch mechanism K, carried by the leverA, one end of which cooperates with the flexible band D, while from theother is suspended the core 0 of the axial electro-magnet M, the coilsof which are represented in theory-that is to say,-for eachshunt-circuit spanning the are for impelhng against said shoulder, and acontact-stop for said switch or bridge. arresting the upward movement ofsaidtongue.

4. The combination, substantially as here- In. testimony whereof I havehereunto subinbefore set forth, of the supporting mechanism scribed myname this 5th day of June, A. D. 5 of the electrode of an arc-lamp, aregulating 1882.

electroqnagnet its armature-lever provided with a shoulder, a clutchmechanism combin- ROBERT SHEEHY' ing a tongue or clamp pivoted to saidlever, a Witnesses: spring maintaining said tongue in a position MILLERO. EARL,

10 to bind or press said supporting mechanism ROBERT N. EARL.

